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ARTICLE · 27 MAY 2015

When The Dust Settles: An Update On Changes To Canadian IP Legislation

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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The most substantial amendments to the Canadian Patent Act in almost 20 years will significantly impact Canadian patent practice.

CanadaIntellectual Property
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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Canada is in the midst of a substantial overhaul of its intellectual property statutes and regulations that will have wide-ranging implications for patent, industrial design, trade-mark and copyright law as well as procedure. This Update summarizes the most important revisions that have already been implemented and those that are expected to be implemented within the next few years.

PATENTS

The most substantial amendments to the Canadian Patent Act in almost 20 years will significantly impact Canadian patent practice.

Patent Law Treaty

The Patent Act was amended in 2014 to conform to the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). The PLT is a multilateral treaty concluded in 2000 to which Canada is a signatory, but which Canada has not yet ratified. The amendments are not yet in force and are not likely to be in effect until sometime in 2016. While the changes required to conform to the PLT are numerous, those of particular note include:

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